With starting second baseman Nico Hoerner not joining the Chicago Cubs on their trip to Japan for the Tokyo Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a spot has opened up in the team’s starting lineup.
Bleacher Report has projected that veteran utility player Jon Berti will step into that role and be the Cubs’ starting second baseman on Opening Day. Berti, who signed a one-year, $3 million contract in the offseason, is aiming to make a strong comeback in 2025.
After injuries limited him to just 24 games for the New York Yankees in 2024, this will mark the fourth team of his career. A career .259 hitter, Berti exceeded that average during his brief time with the Yankees, finishing with a .273 mark. This spring, he’s off to a solid start, batting .273 with an OPS slightly above .700.
Though his defense has been inconsistent, he’s played more at third base than second. The two-game series in Japan will be a key opportunity for Berti to prove his value as a reliable bench option late in games for manager Craig Counsell. While he won’t remain the starting second baseman when Hoerner returns, Berti can still establish himself as a valuable pinch hitter or defensive substitute for the Cubs.
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